Hotch looked around the office to make sure everything was in order for tomorrow before glancing at his watch 11 pm- much later than usual. He realised he was staying later at work more then usual. He turned off the lamp. After turning off the lamp he grabbed his briefcase and walked out of the door. Looking out over the main desk area, he was surprised to see a light still on over Reid's desk. As he headed across the room, he saw a pair of feet propped up on the desk. Reid must have fallen asleep. But rounding the corner, he saw Spencer was looking at a pile of papers before glancing up.

"Hey, Hotch" He looked at his watch "What are you doing here so late?"

"I could ask you the same thing" he said. Reid swung his legs off the table before picking up a picture and handing it to Hotch- it was of a girl gagged and tied to a chair.

"A friend sent them, she wants me to have a look at them for her" Reid explained. "There is also torn out diary pages"

Hotch pulled up a chair.

"Where did she get them?" Hotch asked

"She searched a house and found them in the attic." He showed him a picture of a blond teenager "The guy kidnapped this teenager a few days ago. He was seen on security cameras putting her in the back of his truck, they managed to get the plates and a warrant and searched the house yesterday finding these"

Hotch picked up some of the other pictures. They were extremely disturbing even compared to what they had seen before.

"It means the kidnap was not planned or he is inexperienced if was seen on CCTV" Hotch surmised, and Reid nodded in agreement.

"They know he did this kidnapping but got quite a shock when they found the evidence pointing to these others," Reid said

"You thinking he's a serial?" Hotch asked leaning back in his chair to look at Reid.

Reid let out a big sigh "I think from looking at these pictures and some of these diary entries that he has definitely kidnapped and killed previous to this victim" Reid said.

"Does she want us to take the case?" Hotch asked.

"I'll talk to Kate about it, she's FBI and has solved serial cases before but I don't think to this extent" Reid said. He gave Hotch a lop-sided smile.

"Come on, I'll give you a lift home, you can call her in the morning, and depending on what she says we can get started then," Hotch said, standing up. Reid opened his mouth to disagree but Hotch went on, "If this is a friend of yours, you want to be at the top of your game. We just got back from Texas, we're all exhausted. It'll be better for us all, including the victims, if we're rested before we start." Reid nodded in agreement

"Thanks Hotch"

"No problem"

They collected all the papers up in silence and slid them in to manila. Reid turned off his light and followed Hotch to the car.

Reid was suprisingly calm. He always got nervous when he was alone with someone and there was silence but for some reason this time- Nothing.

"So this Kate, how well do you know her?" Hotch asked.

"She was really my only friend through high school, she has exactly the same IQ as me and has an eidetic memory but moved around a lot in school since she was in foster care. She moved next door to me when I was in my freshman year at Bleak High. She was ahead of me but since I skipped some grades, we graduated together. We went to college together, and then we started the FBI academy. After that, we went our separate ways, me to Quantico and Kate to New York. We still talk a lot, but hardly ever see each other." Reid said. "What about you, do you have a best friend?"

Hotch smiled.

"Yeah, Jack and I grew up together, our fathers were best friends. We went through high school together but then went our separate ways through our jobs. We talk quite a bit but just like you and Kate work stops us meeting so often" Hotch sighed.

"Is your son named after him?" Reid asked.

Hotch smiled at the fact he remebered his son's name but then realised this is Reid , he remembers everything.

"Yes, Hayley liked the name when I suggested it." Reid nodded.

He had noticed how Hotch's voice always changed when he talked about Hayley, but decided not to mention it. They sat in comfortable silence for the rest of the journey to Reid's apartment. When Hotch pulled up outside his building, Reid couldn't help but be disappointed. He didn't know why, but he was enjoying the company and didn't look forward to an evening alone in his empty apartment, thinking about those girls.

"Thanks for the lift, Hotch" Reid said undoing his seatbelt.

Hotch smiled. "No problem"

"You should smile more often, it brings out your eyes" Reid blurted out. He sat there with a look of shock on his face but in his head he was screaming OMG what have I done?

Hotch sat there, laughing at Reid's face and gently closed Reid's mouth with his hand.

Reid grabbed his things and was about to jump out of the car.

"Reid" He turned around even though his cheeks were burning" Thank you for the compliment" Hotch leaned forward and softly kissed Reid. He felt Reid stiffen with the kiss but slowly relax and started to kiss him back. Hotch moved his hands onto Reid's face and stroked his cheek. After a while they parted panting looking into each other's eyes.

"You don't know how long I have wanted to do that" Hotch said with a smile. Reid laughed.

"I will see you tomorrow, Aaron" Reid said jumping out of the car. Hotch noticed how relaxed Reid seemed, like he was now able to be himself. Like he finally felt accepted. Hotch nodded

"See you tomorrow Spencer, ring me tomorrow after you have spoken to Kate" Hotch said. Reid nodded and closed the door. He walked up to his apartment building and turned around and waved. Hotch waved back as he drove off. Hotch breathed out. It finally hit him what he had done as he was driving home. He had kissed an employee. Yes, one he had been admiring for quite a while but still one of his employees. It could damage his or Reid's career if anyone found out. He could not help but think that even though he and Reid may be frowned upon by their superiors they would have a fantastic time together outside of work and that may out do all the con's of their relationship.